U.S. patent number 11,382,433 [Application Number 16/844,170] was granted by the patent office on 2022-07-12 for device for changing frame angle of foldable article.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Characin Co., Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is Characin Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Sung Kwon Kim.
United States Patent |
11,382,433 |
Kim |
July 12, 2022 |
Device for changing frame angle of foldable article
Abstract
Provided is a device for changing a frame angle of a foldable
article. The device combines frames using a connecting and
assembling member and an elastic string and makes up a leg or a
support frame of the foldable article. The connecting and
assembling member with which a first end of the elastic string is
combined and which has multiple combination grooves in such a
manner that the frame combined with a second end of the elastic
string is selectively combined with the connecting and assembling
member. The first end of elastic string is combined with the
connecting and assembling member, and the second end of the elastic
string is combined with the frame such that the frame can be
elastically operated. The frame is combined with the first end of
the elastic string and is elastically insertable into or separable
from the connecting and assembling member.
Inventors: |
Kim; Sung Kwon (Gyeonggi-do,
KR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Characin Co., Ltd. |
Incheon |
N/A |
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Characin Co., Ltd. (Incheon,
KR)
|
Family
ID: |
1000006423563 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/844,170 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2020 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20210289946 A1 |
Sep 23, 2021 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
|
|
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Mar 19, 2020 [KR] |
|
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10-2020-0034064 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C
19/025 (20130101); F16B 7/0426 (20130101); A47C
4/286 (20130101); A47C 17/64 (20130101); F16B
7/044 (20130101); Y10T 403/00 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
19/02 (20060101); A47C 4/28 (20060101); A47C
17/64 (20060101); F16B 7/04 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
|
1559325 |
|
Jan 2005 |
|
CN |
|
2941983 |
|
Nov 2015 |
|
EP |
|
20-2009-0003441 |
|
Apr 2009 |
|
KR |
|
10-2012-0044577 |
|
May 2012 |
|
KR |
|
10-1585222 |
|
Jan 2016 |
|
KR |
|
10-2018-0057138 |
|
May 2018 |
|
KR |
|
WO-2018097494 |
|
May 2018 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
Korean Intellectual Property Office, Office Action dated May 24,
2021, KR 10-2020-0034064. cited by applicant .
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued by the
International Searching Authority dated Jun. 23, 2021,
PCT/KR2020/012052. cited by applicant .
Korean Intellectual Property Office, Decision to Grant a Patent
dated Aug. 10, 2021, KR10-2020-0034064. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Hare; David R
Assistant Examiner: Emanski; Madison
Attorney, Agent or Firm: The Dobrusin Law Firm, P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for changing a frame angle of a foldable article, the
device combining leg frames using a connecting and assembling
member and an elastic string and thus makes up a leg or a support
frame of the foldable article, the device comprising: the
connecting and assembling member with which a first end of the
elastic string is combined in a manner to be fixed or to pass
through and which has a plurality of combination grooves each of
which has a shape that corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of a
leg frame wherein the leg frame combined with a second end of the
elastic string is selectively combined with the connecting and
assembling member in an angle-changing manner at a varying
installation angle; the elastic string having the first end that is
fixed to or that passes through the connecting and assembling
member and the second end that is combined with the leg frame
wherein the leg frame is elastically operable; and the leg frame
that is combined with the second end of the elastic string and that
is elastically insertable into or separable from the connecting and
assembling member, wherein an opening portion that is a
lengthwise-extending hole is formed in the connecting and
assembling member, and the connecting and assembling member
includes a combination block portion that forms a plurality of
combination grooves by partitioning the opening portion, the
combination block portion is configured with first and second block
pieces that are inserted into the opening portion and then are
symmetrically combined with the connecting and assembling member,
wherein an arc-shaped concave portion is formed in both sides of
each of the first and second block pieces, a semi-circle concave
groove is formed in the middle thereof, and an insertion protrusion
is formed on an external surface thereof, and insertion grooves
into which the insertion protrusions, respectively, are inserted
are formed in an internal circumferential surface of the connecting
and assembly member and thus, the first and second block pieces are
removably combined into the insertion groves, respectively.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein an opening hole through
which the elastic string passes is formed between the first and
second block pieces, and the plurality of combination grooves are
formed in both sides of the combination block portion or in the
middle thereof.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein an engaging shoulder is
formed on an external surface of the leg frame, and an engaging
groove is formed on the arc-shaped concave portion on both sides of
each of the first and second block pieces and on the semi-circle
concave groove in the middle of each thereof.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein a finishing member is
combined with an end portion of the leg frame and is supported on
the ground, and the finishing member includes: a main body having a
first end with which an end portion of the leg frame is combined; a
tip member that is combined with a second end of the main body; and
a spring that is mounted within the main body in such a manner as
to elastically support the tip member.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2020-0034064, filed Mar. 19, 2020, the entire
contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for changing a position,
is the device being capable of changing a position at which a frame
with which an elastic string is combined is combined, for use in
foldable articles that include a bed, a chair, a table, a tent, a
foldable stick, and so on that are foldable. Particularly, the
present invention relates to a device for changing a frame angle of
a foldable article, into which a frame is selectively inserted to
change a position of the frame and thus to adjust a height and a
width of the foldable article for convenient use thereof.
Description of the Related Art
Unless otherwise described throughout the present specification,
what is described in this section is not prior art against the
claims in this application, and what is included in this section is
not admitted as prior art.
Generally, in most cases, various foldable articles in the related
art, in which frames are employed, have been developed as articles,
such as chairs or beds, which are configured in such a manner that
a frame is combined with one designated portion of a connecting and
assembling member for connecting and assembling the frame. Thus,
there is no serious inconvenience in using the foldable article in
which the frame is connected and assembled.
For storage and convenient transportation, the foldable article in
the related art is configured to be folded after use. However, in a
case where the foldable article is actually used, a height of the
foldable article cannot be adjusted. Thus, when assembled, the
foldable article, like an existing fixed-type article, has to be
used without any adjustment.
In addition, a mat sheet or bed sheet, which is installed on upper
portions of the frames, cannot also be utilized variably, for
example, in a manner that a width thereof is narrowed or widened.
Thus, when assembled, the foldable article, like an existing
fixed-type article, has to be used without any adjustment.
Furthermore, there is no way to tighten or loosen the mat sheet or
bed sheet.
An example of the related art is Korean Patent Application
Publication No. 10-2012-0044577.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a device for
changing a frame angle of a foldable article. The device has a
configuration in which a position at which a frame that is used in
foldable articles that include a chair, a bed, and so on is
installed is changed. Thus, the device is capable of adjusting a
height of the foldable article or adjusting a sheet width in
various ways for convenient use.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a device for changing a frame angle of a foldable article, the
device combining frames using a connecting and assembling member
and an elastic string to make up a leg or a support frame of each
of the foldable articles that include a chair, a bed, a tent, and
so on, the device including: the connecting and assembling member
with which a first end of the elastic string is combined in a
manner to be fixed or to pass through and which has multiple
combination grooves such that the frame combined with a second end
of the elastic string is selectively combined with the connecting
and assembling member in an angle-changing manner at a varying
installation angle; the elastic string having the first end that is
combined with the connecting and assembling member in a manner to
be fixed or to pass through and the second end that is combined
with the frame such that the frame can be elastically operated; and
the frame that is combined with the first end of the elastic string
and is elastically insertable into or separable from the connecting
and assembling member.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, which is
disclosed below, a device for changing a frame angle of a foldable
article has multiple combination grooves in such a manner that a
position or angle at which a frame that is used in foldable
articles that include a chair, a bed, and so on is installed is
changed. Thus, the device is capable of adjusting a height of the
foldable article or adjusting a sheet width in various ways for
convenient use. This provides the advantage that, for all purposes,
the device has applications for convenient use in various foldable
articles that include a chair, a bed, and so on.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram illustrating a foldable chair in
which a device for changing a frame angle of a foldable article
according to an embodiment is used;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged essential-portion diagram illustrating a
"frame support portion" in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective essential-portion diagram illustrating a
"connecting and assembling member" in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded diagram illustrating the
"connecting and assembling member" in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a connection
relationship between a "frame" and the "connecting and assembling
member" in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged essential-portion diagram illustrating one
portion of the foldable chair in FIG. 1, when viewed from a
different view;
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state where one portion of the
frame support portion" in FIG. 2 operates;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state where the "connecting and
assembling member" in FIG. 3 operates differently;
FIG. 9 is a perspective essential-portion diagram illustrating a
modification example of an essential portion according to the
present invention;
FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram illustrating a state where a frame
angle of a leg frame in FIG. 1 is changed;
FIG. 11 is a perspective diagram illustrating an example where a
device for changing a frame angle of a foldable article according
to a preferable embodiment of the present invention is used in
another portion of the foldable chair;
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state where the one portion of
the frame support portion" in FIG. 7 operates;
FIG. 13 is a perspective diagram illustrating an example where a
device for changing a frame angle of a foldable article according
to a preferable embodiment of the present invention is used in a
foldable bed;
FIG. 14 is an enlarged essential-portion diagram illustrating the
modification example of the essential portion in FIG. 9;
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a direction in which the leg
frame in FIG. 10 is to be inserted;
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state where the leg frame in
FIG. 11 is inserted;
FIG. 17 is a perspective diagram illustrating an example where the
device for changing a frame angle of a foldable article according
to the present invention is used in another type of chair
structure;
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a state where the device for
changing a frame angle of a foldable article in FIG. 13
operates;
FIG. 19 is a perspective diagram illustrating an example where the
device for changing a frame angle of a foldable article according
to the present invention is used in another type of bed structure;
and
FIG. 20 is a side-view diagram illustrating the leg frame in FIG.
15, when viewed from a different direction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferable embodiments will be described in detail below with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
The embodiments will be described below in such detail that a
person of ordinary skill in the art to which that the present
invention pertains is enabled to implement the present invention
without undue experimentation. However, this does not impose any
limitation to the technical idea and the scope of the present
invention.
In addition, for clarity and convenience in description, sizes,
shapes, and the like of constituent elements may be illustrated in
an exaggerated manner in the drawings. The terms that are defined
considering a configuration and an operation that are consistent
with the present invention may vary according to the operator's or
user's intention or current practices. These terms should be
defined in light of the present specification.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, foldable
articles A that include a chair, a bed, a tent, and so on are
configured in such a manner that the respective legs or support
frames of the foldable articles A are constructed by connecting leg
frames 3 to each other using the connecting and assembling members
1 and the elastic strings 2.
According to an embodiment, a foldable article is configured to
include the connecting and assembling member 1 with which one end
of the elastic string 2 is combined in a manner that is fixed or
passes therethrough and which has multiple combination grooves 10
each of which has a shape that corresponds to a cross-sectional
shape of the leg frame 3, in such a manner that the leg frame 3
combined with the other end of the elastic string 2 is selectively
combined with the connecting and assembling member 1 in an
angle-changing manner at a varying installation angle; the elastic
string 2, the one end of which is combined with the connecting and
assembling member 1 in a manner that is combined with or passes
therethrough, the other end of which is combined with the leg frame
3, and which thus enables the leg frame 3 to elastically operate;
and the leg frame 3 that is combined with the one end of the
elastic string 2 and is elastically insertable or separable into or
from the connecting and assembling member 1.
The foldable articles A include various foldable products, such as
a chair, a bed, and a tent, that are configured to be foldable.
The connecting and assembling member 1 is manufactured using
various methods, such as forming synthetic resin into the desired
shape thereof (i.e., resin molding) and pouring molten metal into a
die cavity or a mold cavity therefor (i.e., die casting).
As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connecting and assembling
member according to one embodiment is provided with an opening
portion 100 that is a lengthwise-extending hole and includes a
combination block portion 200 that partitions the opening portion
100 into multiple combination grooves 10 when it is inserted into
the opening portion 100.
The combination block portion 200 is configured with first and
second block pieces 200a and 200b that are inserted into the
opening portion 100 and then are symmetrically combined with the
connecting and assembling member 1. An opening hole 14 through
which the elastic string 2 passes is famed between the first and
second block pieces 200a and 200b.
An arc-shaped concave portion 210 is formed in both sides of each
of the first and second block pieces 200a and 200b. A semi-circle
concave groove 220 is formed in the middle thereof. An insertion
protrusion 230 is formed on an external surface thereof.
An insertion groove 104 into which the insertion protrusion 230 is
inserted is formed in an internal circumferential surface of the
connecting and assembling member 1.
Thus, the first and second block pieces 200a and 200b are removably
combined into the insertion grooves 104, respectively.
When the first and second block pieces 200a and 200b are combined
into the respective insertion grooves 104 in such a manner to face
each other, an opening hole 14 which is a slit-like hole is
provided between the first and second block pieces 200a and 200b,
and the opening portion 100 is partitioned into the multiple
combination grooves 10 which include the first combination groove
10a and the second combination groove 10b provided at the
lengthwise ends of the opening hole 14, respectively, and the third
combination groove 10c provided in the middle.
The first combination groove 10a to the third combination 10c may
have a circular shape which has the same external diameter as a
cross-sectional shape of the leg frame 3, and the leg frame 3 may
be selectively combined into one of the first combination groove
10a to the third combination 10c.
On the other hand, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, in order to
increase the connectability of the leg frame 3, an engaging
shoulder 32 may be formed on an external surface of the leg frame
3, and an engaging groove 240 may be formed on the arc-shaped
portion 210 on both sides of each of the first and second block
pieces 200a and 200b and on the concave groove 220 in the middle of
each thereof.
The engaging shoulder 32 or the engaging groove 240 is formed to be
arch-shaped in the horizontal direction.
Thus, the leg frame 3 may be selectively combined into the first
combination groove 10a to the third combination groove 10c. When
this is done, the engaging should 32 is combined into the engaging
groove 240, thereby achieving the high connectability.
In the connecting and assembling member 1, a combination
through-hole 12 of which a size is smaller than that of the
combination groove 10 is formed to pass through an internal bottom
of each of the multiple combination grooves 10, into which the leg
frame 3 is combined in such a manner that the elastic string 2 is
combined into or passes through the combination through-hole
12.
In addition, an opening hole 14 in the shape of a small slit having
a width smaller than the diameter of the combination groove, is
formed between each of the multiple combination grooves 10 in such
a manner that the elastic string passes through the opening hole
14. Thus, although positioned in any combination groove 10 of the
multiple combination grooves 10, the elastic string 2 can move
through the opening hole 14.
At this point, distances among the multiple combination grooves 10
are shorter as the respective internal ends of the combination
grooves are approached. Thus, fixed angles are made among the
multiple combination grooves 10. Accordingly, although the
distances among the combination grooves are short, the angle can be
changed to a relatively-large decree, and thus, the article can be
stably supported.
In addition, various configurations are employed according to the
number of leg frames 2 and a position at which the leg frame 3 is
installed, which are required in terms of characteristics of the
foldable article A. If necessary, a portion at which a separate
fixation frame 5 is fixedly installed is also prepared in
advance.
As the elastic strings 2, various types of strings may be utilized
such as high elastic rubber bands and springs. A configuration is
employed in which the elastic string 2 is elastically combined into
the combination groove 10 in the connecting and assembling member
1. With this configuration, in a case where the leg frame 3 is
separated from the combination groove 10 to disassemble the leg
frame 3, the elastic string 10, which itself has flexibility,
serves to freely disassemble the leg frame 3, and to enable the leg
frame 3 to operate while maintaining a connected state without
being separated completely independently of the connecting and
assembling member 1.
The leg frame 3 is manufactured from a hollow metal pipe or a
synthetic resin pipe, which is excellent in hardness. Preferably, a
configuration is employed in which a finishing member 30 having a
combination through-hole 12 into which the elastic string 2 is to
be inserted for convenient combination is fixedly combined with one
end portion of the leg frame 3.
At this point, in a case where a foldable chair, as the foldable
article A, is configured, without the fixation frame 5 in the
center, which will be described below, the leg frame 3 may be
employed as a portion that is positioned on a lower portion of the
connecting and assembling member 1 and serves as a leg, and may be
employed as a portion that is positioned on an upper portion of the
connecting and assembling member 1 for combination with a seat and
supports and fixes the seat.
In addition, in a case where a foldable bed, as the foldable
article A, is configured, the leg frame 3 is assembled, in the
upward position, to each of the connecting and assembling members 1
that are fixedly installed on both sides of the fixation frame 5
and thus can serve as both a leg and a support.
On the other hand, a finishing member 500 is combined with an end
portion of the leg frame 3 that is used as a leg. Thus, when
supported on the ground, the leg frame 3 can be prevented from
sliding.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the finishing member 500 is configured to
include a main body 510, with whose one end an end portion of the
leg frame 3 is combined, a tip member 530 that is combined with the
other end of the main body 510, and a string 540 that is mounted
within the main body 510 in such a manner as to elastically support
the tip member 530.
A stopper 512 is removably combined with a lower portion of the
main body 510.
An upper portion of the spring 540 is supported within the main
body 510. A partition wall 514 that supports an end portion of the
leg frame 3 is formed within the main body 510. A water drain hole
513 is formed in the partition wall 514, and thus rainwater is
discharged through the water drain hole 513.
The tip member 530 is formed in such a manner that an end portion
thereof has an inclination surface 532 considering an inclination
angle at which the tip member 530 is supported on the ground.
Thus, when the tip member 530 is supported on the ground, the tip
member 530 can elastically move forward and backward due to the
elasticity of the spring 540. The tip member 530 is firmly stuck in
the ground in a state where due to the weight of the tip member
530, a portion thereof moves backward into the finishing member
500. Thus, the sliding can be prevented.
On the other hand, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, in a case
where a foldable chair, as the foldable article A, is configured,
the fixation frame 5 refers to a frame that is positioned in the
center and is fixedly connected to multiple connecting and
assembling members 1. In a case where a foldable bed, as the
foldable article A, is configured, the fixation frame 5 refers to a
frame that is fixedly installed between the connecting and
assembling members 1 positioned on both sides thereof.
Reference numerals 6 and 7 refer to a chair sheet and a bed sheet
that is combined with a support bar 70, respectively, which are not
described.
The operation of the present invention that is configured as
described above is as follows.
First, a case where the leg frame 3 is used as a leg in a lower
portion of a foldable chair as the foldable article A is assumed.
When the leg frame 3 is combined into the frontmost combination
groove 10 of the multiple combination grooves 10 formed in the
connecting and assembling member 1, a leg of the foldable chair
that uses the leg frame 3 is at its greatest height. When the leg
frame 3 is combined into the rearmost combination groove 10 of the
multiple combination grooves 10 formed in the connecting and
assembling member 1, a leg of the foldable chair that uses the leg
frame 3 is at its smallest height. This provides the advantage
that, although a user sits on the chair sheet 6 and fully leans
backward, the user can use the foldable chair, maintaining a
properly-balanced posture.
A case where the leg frame 3 is used in a structure for supporting
the chair sheet 6 in an upper portion of the foldable chair as the
foldable article A is described.
When the leg frame 3 is combined into the innermost combination
groove 10 of the multiple combination grooves 10 formed in the
connecting and assembling member 1, the leg frames 3 on both sides
are positioned at points where a distance therebetween is shortest.
Thus, in a case where the chair sheet 6 is combined with an end
portion of the leg frame 3, although the chair sheet 6 is not
spread into a tightened state, the body of the user is wrapped at a
small height, thereby providing the comfortability. When the leg
frame 3 is combined into the outermost combination groove 10 of the
multiple combination grooves 10 formed in the connecting and
assembling member 1, the leg frames 3 on both sides are positioned
at points where a distance therebetween is greatest. Thus, the
chair sheet 7 is spread into the tightened state. The user can use
the foldable chair in which the elasticity of the chair sheet 7 can
be maintained at a great height.
On the other hand, a case where the leg frame 3 is used for
adjusting a height of a leg of a foldable bed while supporting the
bed sheet 7 in an upper portion of the foldable bed as the foldable
article A is described (refer to FIG. 13).
When the leg frame 3 is combined into the innermost combination
groove 10 of the multiple combination grooves 10 formed in the
connecting and assembling member 1, the leg frames 3 on both sides
are positioned at points where a distance therebetween is shortest.
Thus, in a case where the support bar 70 is combined with an end
portion of the leg frame 3 and the bed sheet 7 is spread, although
the bed sheet 7 is not spread into a very tightened state, the user
can use the foldable bed of which the comfortability can be
maintained in a state where the height of the leg is relatively
great. When the leg frame 3 is combined into the outermost
combination groove 10 of the multiple combination grooves 10 formed
in the connecting and assembling member 1, the leg frames 3 on both
sides are positioned at points where a distance therebetween is
greatest. Thus, the bed sheet 7 is spread into a more-tightened
state. The user can use the foldable bed in which the elasticity of
a bed sheet can be maintained in a state where the height of the
leg is relatively small.
As described above, according to an embodiment of the present
invention, which is described above, the device for changing a
frame angle of a foldable article has multiple combination grooves
10 in such a manner that a position or angle at which the leg frame
3 that is used in foldable articles A that include a chair, a bed,
and so on is installed is changed. Thus, the device is capable of
adjusting a height of the foldable article A or adjusting a sheet
width in various ways for convenient use. For all purposes, the
device can also have applications for convenient use in various
foldable articles A that include a chair, a bed, and so on.
The preferable embodiments are described above. However, it will be
apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that various
modifications and alterations are possible without departing from
the gist and scope of the invention. These modifications and
alternations should be construed as falling within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *